Berkeley, California (Friday, July 01, 2016) - Come celebrate the 4th of July at the Berkeley Marina, where the City co-sponsors a popular and free, daylong celebration that ends with fireworks over the Bay.

Take advantage of the beauty and appeal of the Marina, a Berkeley treasure that's also a wonderful setting to watch the day's final event, fireworks put on by the City of Berkeley. Follow tips to avoid getting caught up in traffic and frustration on the way home.

The admission-free event, from 12 noon until 10pm, includes arts and crafts booths, live music, bounce houses and children's activities, as well as many different food vendors and trucks - though many come to picnic. Children can get their face painted, use the giant slide or play at the beach. The City's popular Adventure Playground - a park that encourages kid-driven, hands-on play - will be open until 8pm.

Live entertainment will last from noon until 9:30PM. See the event website for details events and live music as well as performers -- such as the US Air Force Band of the Golden West; The Rusty String Express; Troupe Tangiers; and Sharifa's Habibis. There will be free dragon boat rowing from 12-5PM, live pony rides, a petting zoo, Nerf tag, Sumo wrestling balls and carnival rides near Skates, an inflatable bouncy area, mini-train rides, giant slides, and water bubble balls.

The day culminates at 9:35 p.m. in a half-hour of fireworks over the water near the end of the Berkeley pier. Presented by the City of Berkeley, viewing is best along Frontage Drive south of the Pier or from Hs Lordship's parking lot.

The event is popular, so plan ahead. Picnic areas at all Marina parks are first come first serve, there are only three designated bbq sites. Alcohol, personal fireworks, and personal barbecues are prohibited. The Berkeley Municipal Fishing Pier will be closed from 8am to 12midnight.

Getting there: The best way to arrive is by walking or riding a bike over the Berkeley bicycle overpass or by bus. Until 6pm, you can take AC Transit #51B from the Downtown Berkeley BART station and into the Marina. To leave on AC Transit after the fireworks, walk out over the freeway overpass to University and 5th St.

Arriving by car is more complex. University Avenue west of the freeway will be closed to ALL vehicles from 6pm to 11pm to allow pedestrian and bicycle access to the Marina from University Avenue. There are over a thousand parking spots at a cost of $15 for the day. Carsparked at the Marina won't be able to leave by car from 6pm until 11pm.